The rules for transporting pets between Mexico and the United States are much simpler than between Mexico and other countries. Here we will talk about the rules for crossing the land border with animals. Airlines may impose their own other criteria, primarily related to transportation in a container and placement in the cabin or baggage compartment. For this reason, the conditions for air transportation of animals from Mexico to the USA and vice versa must be checked with each specific airline.
Importing an animal into Mexico
According to Mexican law, up to 3 pets can be imported without paying taxes: cats, dogs, canaries, hamsters, parrots, ferrets, turtles, birds, and other small wild animals, except predators.
Although in most cases, when importing an animal from the United States to Mexico, you will not need to provide any documents, and it is enough to show the animal itself during inspection, we still suggest completing the following documentation:
- Certificate of Health (APHIS Form 7001) issued by any USDA certified veterinarian in the United States not more than 15 days old, original and copy. The certificate must be accompanied by a copy of the doctor's license,
- Document confirming vaccination against rabies, indicating the vaccine and date of vaccination,
- Certificate of treatment against ticks and parasites.
The last two documents have the right to be combined into one, in particular, into a vaccination card.
When crossing the Mexican border you will be asked to hand over your animal for inspection. Bringing an animal into Mexico without accompanying papers means that all responsibility for the pet’s health lies with the owner. If there are any suspicious symptoms, employees of the National Service for Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products (SENASICA) have the right to require additional testing of the animal and its placement in quarantine at the expense of the owner. This is where a set of documentation can be very useful.
If the animal has visible diseases, wounds or lesions, it is additionally required to provide a letter from the veterinarian indicating the diagnosis and treatment regimen.
If external parasites are found during the inspection, they will be collected and sent to a laboratory for analysis at the owner's expense. This means that the animal has not been treated for parasites. All this time the animal will be in quarantine, and at the expense of the owner.
The exact same criteria apply when importing dogs and cats into Mexico from Canada.
We suggest downloading the SENASICA applicationQué T traes. With his support, you have the opportunity to find out what requirements Mexico imposes on the import of certain animals, as well as agricultural products.
Importing an animal into the USA
Effective July 14, 2021, the United States introduced restrictions to the level of a ban on the import of dogs from countries where rabies is common. These restrictions do not apply to the import of dogs from Mexico, provided that the animal has been within the state for the last 6 months.
Regulations for bringing animals into the United States are the same for all types of animals, including dogs, cats, service dogs, and emotional support animals.
An international veterinary certificate is NOT required. The only document that is absolutely necessary is —vaccination certificateagainst rabies, indicating the name of the vaccine and the date of vaccination. In this case, the last vaccination must be carried out no later than 30 days before the import of the animal. The United States allows the use of a 3-year rabies vaccine, although Mexico gives 1-year vaccines (in other words, annually).
Documents that are recommended to have include a certificate stating that the animal is healthy. This certificate must be issued no more than 5 days prior to entry into the United States. It must indicate that the animal is completely healthy, the pet does not have tumors, fresh or healing wounds, and also symptoms of any diseases requiring quarantine, infectious diseases or the presence of parasites. Other required data: animal type, breed, color, age, gender; Owner details: name and address in Mexico.
Both documents can be obtained from any veterinarian in Mexico. They must be accompanied by copies of the veterinarian's medical license with his original signature.
Unvaccinated animals cannot be brought into the United States. Puppies and kittens can be vaccinated from 3 months of age, since the vaccine has no effect at an earlier age. Therefore, animals under 4 months of age cannot be brought into the United States.
Different US states may have different criteria for importing animals. It is possible to check themHere(last block).
Together, animals are allowed to import the amount of food needed for one day.